As the sizes of new saltwater fishing boats grow at prodigious rates, the new World Cat 260CC-X represents a welcome departure. At 25 ½ feet in length and with a 9-foot beam, the 260CC-X is easy to trailer, easy to handle and easy on fuel.

Yet this center-console cat serves as a capable offshore fishing machine, thanks to the proven multihull that ­slices through rough seas and provides great stability. At the same time, the twin-­outboard 260CC-X drafts just 14 inches, in case you plan to fish bay waters.  

“We knew there was a market need within our own model offering for this new 260CC-X,” says Chad Armstrong, vice president of sales and marketing for World Cat. 

During my test in the ­waters off Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I not only reveled in the seakeeping ability of the 260CC-X, but also imagined how the angling features aboard this cat could enhance trips offshore for pelagics and wreck fishing.  

Live bait serves as the beating heart of many offshore trips today, and the 260CC-X accommodates with a ­30-gallon covered transom livewell in the starboard quarter, with a light that helps keep your pilchards or goggle-eyes milling merrily inside. There’s also a ­30-gallon insulated fish box in the port quarter.

The 260CC-X offers ­plenty of rod stowage, including four stainless-steel gunwale rod holders in the aft cockpit and two additional gunwale rod holders forward. The leaning post has a rack with four rod tubes, and there are two holders in the transom that double as drink holders. 

World Cat designed an ­inventive aft cockpit. Most notably, a 50-inch-wide transom bench seat and backrest fold down to create a slightly elevated stern casting deck. This lets you fish unfettered off the back, while side rails, combined with the retracted tilt-up boarding ladder, serve as handholds for safety. When your crew is ready to take a load off, the bench seat and backrest easily flip back into position.

Residing below the aft deck is a pair of wide, watertight hatches that provide easy access to bilge rigging, and there’s a Yeti Tundra 65 slide-out cooler beneath the ­leaning post.

A standard wraparound lounge in the bow converts to an elevated forward casting deck. Underneath the forward deck lies abundant stowage for safety gear, tackle bags and more. The forward console features seating, and a door behind it leads to a generous console interior with 53 inches of headroom and space for a marine toilet. This area also offers a lot of dry storage and access to the helm rigging. 

Skippers will love the wraparound glass windshield. A manual front vent is integrated into the aluminum hardtop frame to usher in a cooling breeze. A stitched brow over the dash minimizes glare. For navigating as safely as possible, communicating and finding fish, the 260CC-X’s standard electronics include a Garmin 12-inch 8612xsv multifunction display and a Garmin VHF radio. Also standard is a Fusion Apollo 670 stereo feeding six JL Audio 6 ½-inch speakers to rock the tunes. 

Optional features on the 260CC-X include a hardtop-­mounted LED forward light bar, removable/foldaway bow-seating backrests, quick- release fender holders, an electric marine head with an 8-gallon holding tank and overboard discharge, hardtop rocket launchers with a ski-tow frame upgrade, and an RGB LED upgrade, including lights for the hardtop, ­cockpit, console, speakers, under the gunwales and underwater.

How does the 260CC-X run? Seas in the Atlantic were running about 2 feet as we pushed out of Port Everglades. Powered by twin Mercury 200 FourStroke outboards with Dometic Optimus 360 joystick steering and Merc DTS controls, the cat displayed plenty of oomph out of the hole, accelerating from zero to 30 mph in 7.8 seconds. 

Cats sometimes display distinctive handling characteristics. For example, the 260CC-X tended to corner flat or lean slightly outward on turns at speeds below 20 mph. However, at higher speeds, this cat displayed more V-hull-like handling, leaning inward during lateral maneuvers and lending a comfortable feeling of confidence while behind the wheel.

With three adults on board and the fuel tanks full, the new World Cat achieved a top speed of 48.5 mph at 4,950 rpm with 19-inch pitch propellers. 

However, in later testing by Mercury Marine with 18-inch pitch props, the 260CC-X was able to achieve a top speed of 50.3 mph at 5665 rpm, which told me the 200 hp V-6 engines, which are rated to rev between 5,000 and 5,800, were a just bit over-propped in my testing. 

Still, the 260CC-X ­posted excellent fuel efficiency, achieving its best ­economy of 2.34 mpg at 3,000 rpm and 27 mph. That equates to a cruising range of nearly 380 miles based on 90 percent capacity of the twin 90-gallon fuel tanks. That kind of range can take you to virtually any offshore fishing area, give you plenty of confidence to troll all day, and take you home safely with fuel to spare. 

Specifications

World Cat – worldcat.com

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World Cat builds center-console, dual-console and sun-deck boats, all sharing the advantages of the double hull.

Those catamaran pluses include a wider footprint to reduce rolling; reduced resistance for quicker planing and faster headway; the beam -carried forward to create a rectangular, space–efficient deck; and reduced tenderness for passengers boarding, moving about or fishing. 

World Cat has become the largest maker of power catamarans in the world, recently expanding its production capabilities with the addition of a 265,000-square foot building in Greenville, NC. In combination with the production facility in Tarboro, NC, World Cat now has a total of 405,000-square feet of production space. It offers models with planing and semidisplacement hulls, all featuring the company’s VectorFlo hull design.

World Cat 400CC-X

Everything about the World Cat 400CC-X is big. 

Including features such as the single-level deck, the 400CC-X boasts more than 200 square feet of deck room, thanks to spaciousness carried forward on its twin hulls and 12-foot-8-inch beam. 

Its twin-tank fuel capacity, totaling 604 gallons, team up for a range of more than 600 miles—even with optional quad F300 engines.

The large helm offers three-sided tempered-glass wind and weather protection, as well as space on the panel for two huge screens. 

Standard is a fiberglass T-top. The console head compartment has a full fiberglass liner, a portlight, a vanity with Corian countertop, and an electric marine head. Insulated fish boxes within bow and aft decks total 269 gallons. 

Power is big on the 400CC-X too: standard twin Yamaha XF425s and integrated electric steering—or quad F300s, if you please.

Highly customizable, options include air conditioning, dual Seakeeper gyrostabilizers, a lithium-ion-battery upgrade, additional fuel tanks, a summer kitchen, additional storage and fish boxes, and several seating-upgrade packages. 

Manufacturer’s Remark

The 400CC-X is our largest catamaran built to date and the second 40-foot model of a new series in our Custom Yacht Division.

Performance Data

• Test Power: Twin Yamaha XF425
• Test Props: XTO Offshore, 16 5/8” x 19”   
• Test Load: 17,827 lb. incl. 340 gal. fuel, 6 batteries, safety and test equipment, plus three people
• Test Speed: 50.0 mph @ 6,000 rpm  
• Max Range: 657 mi. @ 20.6 mph, 3,000 rpm

Specs

Editor Says

I love the expansive deck space on a multihull boat, and this nearly 40-footer delivers 200 square feet of fishable room. Now, add in a super-stable ride—even in heavy seas—and you have a formula for rain-or-shine offshore fishing. Available options provide cavernous livewells and oversize fish boxes. – Chris Woodward, Executive Editor, Fishing Group

More Info

worldcat.com

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The World Cat’s customizable layout features a single-­level deck and any of 12 different transom designs—with port and starboard modules abaft the centerline transom door—to best suit the owner’s needs.

The big cat also incorporates a number of seating options. For starters, there are four double-wide benches—two facing aft and two forward—sporting dedicated backrests, and there’s substantial storage with overboard drains beneath three of them. Recessed grab rails line both sides of the bow ­area, and a pair of tables, which rise from the deck on electric actuators, serve as fillers for twin sun loungers or tabletops for as many as eight crew to grab a bite or enjoy a cold beverage.

The windshield opening between the dual consoles makes it a cinch to move fore and aft. Walking through it from the bow along the dedicated center aisle brings you under the integrated hardtop with sunroof and electric shade that extends aft to cover the cockpit. The port console houses a stateroom with queen berth, storage cabinetry that includes a hanging locker and drawers, microwave, dedicated rod stowage, and entertainment center with TV and sound bar. Meanwhile, the starboard console contains a head compartment with sink, vanity and walk-in shower.

An 8,000 Btu air conditioner cools both cabins and the helm, which has been ergonomically designed to put the tilt steering wheel, throttle, digital gauges, switches and electronics within easy reach. The dash is spacious enough to house dual 17-inch ­multifunction displays, and a double seat with flip-up bolsters and armrests accommodates the skipper and a companion.

A second air conditioner cools the bridge deck, also furnished with numerous conveniences and creature comforts, creating a shaded social zone highlighted by a large U-shaped lounge with electrically adjusted backrests to port, an electrically adjusted pedestal table and double-wide helm bench, and an entertainment center complete with counter, storage, and drawer fridge to starboard, plus additional bench-style seating and storage.

While there is some room for casting at the bow, the aft cockpit is the World Cat’s primary fishing area. Aside from a portside door, it features a transom door to the swim platform and four flush-mount rod/drink holders on the covering boards, and allows for the optional 25-gallon livewell/cooler with chiller plates, one or two 200-quart insulated fish boxes, cooler modules, and a summer kitchen on the transom.

Standard features include molded-in transom seats, through-hull anchor system with windlass, fresh- and raw-water washdowns, 8 kW diesel generator, pull-out hot and cold aft-deck shower, multicolored LED lighting, sea chest to supply water to the livewell, cup holders, USB ports and 12-volt outlets, as well as twin port and starboard mechanical hatches to access batteries, pumps, the generator and an optional Seakeeper stabilizer.

Other options include Helm Master joystick control, Strataglass curtains, a Mediterranean- style bow shade and Black Pearl woven sea-grass flooring.

Upon completing our survey of the 400 DC-X, it came time to take it for a spin. The test boat was powered by twin Yamaha 425 XTOs, which proved a good match, supplying the necessary pep to bring the big cat to life.

With the big outboards on the transom, we averaged 11.1 seconds to reach 30 mph from a standstill. Squatting proved inconsequential, never hindering vision at the helm. Hole shot was even and steady—rather than whiplash-sudden—but midrange acceleration contributed to the spirited and responsive handling, and led to a top speed of 45.2 mph.

The tight turning radius for a boat of sizable dimensions was quite impressive, and the World Cat’s smooth-riding hull lived up to its reputation, rendering the 2-foot chop practically unnoticeable, and taking on big wakes from yachts and sport-fishers without pounding.

All told, the 400 DC-X was a pleasure to drive. Clearly built with comfort in mind, it’s sporty enough to get you to the fishing grounds before the bite shuts off. And if you’re not in a hurry, the fuel efficiency at slower cruising speeds yields a fantastic range, which makes this World Cat an excellent choice for island hopping.

Specs

Length: 39’8″
Beam: 12’8″
Draft: 25″
Fuel: 464 gal.
Water: 60 gal.
Max HP: 850
Weight: 15,000 lb.
Price: $866,773 w/ twin Yamaha 425s
World Cat: worldcat.com

Test Conditions

Weather: Partly cloudy
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Wind: Southwest 11 knots
Sea State: 2-foot chop
Test Load: Three adults, 300 gallons of fuel

The post Boat Test: World Cat 400 DC-X appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

On the heels of last year’s introduction of the 280CC-X comes the builder’s latest broadside, the 296DC, a smartly designed ­dual-console model with the features to serve as both a great family boat and well-equipped fishing platform.

The 296DC is based on a ­cutting-edge twin-hull design introduced in 2015, but with a new look courtesy of the molded-in accent lines and racier sheer. The fiberglass stringer system is bonded and glassed into the hulls while still in the mold, a process that creates a strong, rigid structure ready for the inner liner, which is secured using bonding agents and mechanical fasteners. The lower, raked hardtop has rounded surfboard ­edges and is mounted on an overbuilt, ­powder-coated frame that further enhances the boat’s overall structural integrity. This ­time-intensive construction process translates into the boat’s ­quiet, surefooted performance even when running at speed and in rough water.

The bow features a Lewmar Pro-Fish windlass, a Delta plow anchor, chain and davit. Dual bow hatches open to a compartment that holds more anchor rode than you’ll ever need. The docking and anchoring cleats are heavy-­duty stainless-steel pop-ups, and the grab rail runs below gunwale level.

Cats carry their beam from stern to bow, which makes the bow seating area almost as large as the cockpit. The 296’s features wraparound seating with a removable table and ample drink holders and stowage, but leave the table and seat cushions home and there’s room for two or three people casting, drifting baits, or bottomfishing. The insulated storage compartment under the starboard seat doubles as a fish box, and a rod locker under the portside hatch can also be accessed through a cabinet door on the head compartment forward bulkhead.

The curved windscreen and bi-fold door open for wide walk-through access to the bow between a pair of custom Llebroc helm chairs with lift-up bolsters and drop-down armrests. Forward of the port chair, the comfy head compartment includes an electric freshwater toilet, sink with counter, and storage.

The factory package comes with a Garmin 7612sxv 12-inch chart plotter/sounder and Yamaha CL-7 engine data center that also displays GPS/chart and depth-finder data, but the helm can be configured in several ways to accommodate different electronics. Our test boat was also equipped with Optimus EPS electric power steering with programmable feedback pressure and active helm controls and gauge, which make for a positive driving experience at any speed and sea conditions.

A pair of aft-facing seats in the ­cockpit back up to the helm chairs. The one to starboard hides stowage underneath; the other has a 25-gallon livewell with light-blue finish. Twin fold-up jump seats on the transom bulkhead provide extra seating, while a transom door allows access to the ­outboards and a swim-ladder system that drops at an angle for easy boarding.

Fishing amenities include four combination cup/rod holders, two standard gunwale rod holders in the ­cockpit and two more in the bow; four under-gunwale rod racks in the stern, an optional five-rod rocket ­launcher across the rear of the hardtop, plus optional Taco 380XL outrigger bases with 16-foot carbon fiber or 18-foot aluminum poles.

After leaving Bristol Marina in Charleston and idling down the Ashley River to the last no-wake buoy, we throttled up to a brisk 35 mph to get a feel for the boat’s handling. Like most cats, this one barely responds to shifts in weight as people move around the deck, but a 20-knot wind from the south combined with a chop to lean the boat slightly to port. On a mono hull, trim tabs would do the leveling. But World Cats have no tabs, so I slightly trimmed up the engine on the high side, in this case the starboard hull, to get back on an even keel.

Running out of the harbor mouth, into the teeth of a strong wind, the hull showed surprising seakeeping ­ability. Taking waves head on at 25 mph, the World Cat rose on each before dropping into the trough softly. Regardless of direction, the 296DC cut quietly through the chop, and the more throttle I gave it, the more it got on top, topping out at 52 mph. Attacking the sea quartering and abeam, the hulls maintained tracking and remained level at speed, with minimum spray over the gunwales.

With the introduction of the new 296DC, World Cat adds to its lineup a bigger platform capable of taking on many roles. Hop aboard and enjoy the ride.

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World Cat dedicated more than two years to designing and fine-tuning its new flagship, the 280CC-X, the first X design in its lineup of power catamarans. The payoff was a head turner of a center console that, along with dazzling looks, offers the latest in marine technology, a wealth of creature comforts and well-thought-out fishing features, and the smooth ride that has become World Cat’s hallmark.

Looking at the 28-footer head on, the twin-hulls design with a tunnel and the sports-car-like grille nestled between forward-protruding stems give the boat the ­appearance of a Formula One roadster and set the tone for its dynamic styling.

The radiused tunnel enhances overall strength; meanwhile, a lip at the underside of the tunnel serves to direct spray downward and keep the crew dry and comfortable. To take on big waves, the sheer line starts high at the bow and slopes gradually toward midship where it levels at a gunwale height of 25 inches, affording enough aft freeboard to tread offshore safely and still let the designated gaffer reach the water to haul in fish.

The bow, with its U-shaped lounge seating for seven, is the designated gathering spot. A recessed grab rail traces its contour, coaming bolsters — that extend the length of the boat — serve as port and starboard backrests, and four cup holders and weatherproof plug-in stations for mobile devices are tucked underneath, out of the way yet conveniently at arm’s length. Under the forward seats hide a 36-quart center cooler, a pair of 6-quart coolers, and two large, insulated compartments with overboard drains with 180 quarts of storage capacity each. Just forward, two hatches provide access to a sizable anchor locker housing a raw-water washdown, 300 feet of rode, and a through-hull anchor setup with a windlass, a first in a power cat of this size.

Apropos of the sleek design, the ergonomic console with a swept-back glass dashboard accommodates dual Garmin 12-inch multitouch widescreen displays with the customizable CZone digital switching system, plus digital multifunction gauges, a Fusion marine stereo and more. Atop the console, in a nod to tradition, sits a compass, enabling old-fashioned navigation and bearing reference.

Below the dash, the steering wheel to port and the throttle at the centerline leave room for electronic steering control, two cup holders and a handy glove compartment. Farther down, the integrated footrest harbors additional dry storage. In the front of the console, forward seating with a backrest is attached to the door that provides access to a step-down head compartment with a marine toilet, Corian counter, mirror, storage cabinet, and access to wiring and electronics, plus room to stash extra gear.

A surfboard-style fiberglass hardtop with powder-coated frame, radio box, rear- and forward-facing spreader lights, LED underside lighting, and built-in glass windshield with Pantograph-style wiper provides shade for the skipper and a companion at the helm, where the seating module with dual adjustable bolster seats with fold-down armrests doubles as a leaning post complete with a rigging station, tackle and tool storage, and a 30-gallon livewell with a clear lid in back.

In the cockpit, raw- and freshwater washdowns are smartly located under the opposite covering boards, and twin 355-quart in-deck fish boxes stretch to port and starboard. They both have diaphragm pumps and, thanks to foldout racks inside, double as rod lockers capable of accommodating four outfits each. Additional rod storage comes via eight flush-mounted holders on the covering boards and transom, plus an optional five-tube rocket launcher on the aft side of the hardtop.

On the transom, a fold-down bench seats two to starboard. Adjacent, offset to port, a transom door is perfectly situated to bring aboard trophy fish or welcome returning swimmers. Just forward, symmetrical in-floor hatches afford access to the bilge and other mechanical systems.

Other standard features include integrated LED docking lights and a swim ladder, with Sea Vision LED underwater lights, Taco Marine top-mounted outriggers with 18-foot telescopic booms, and an Edson satin-finish steering wheel with power knob listed among the many available options.

Upon finishing our detailed survey, we took the new World Cat out for a spin. Takeoff was swift, and we jumped on plane without any squatting, a trait of top power cats. Between runs, pitch and roll were negligible, despite the 2- to 3-foot chop, and so was sway during our various maneuvers. In classic cat fashion, the 280CC-X remained pretty flat on the curves, with a slight outward lean as the only palpable surrender to centrifugal force during tight turns at speed.

The twin 200s pushed the boat from zero to 30 mph in a quick 8.5 seconds and crossed the 50 mph threshold at wide-open throttle, a power advantage typical of catamaran hulls. At 3,500 rpm we achieved the best speed (26 mph) to fuel consumption (11.1 gph) ratio, which, under similar conditions and with both 110-gallon gas tanks full, should yield a range of 520 miles, surely music to the ears of tournament anglers and island hoppers. If a boat under 30 feet is in your plans, give this World Cat a close look. The well-rounded 28-footer is built to last and designed for comfort, safety and fuel efficiency, with eye-pleasing looks and loaded with everything you’d expect in a top offshore performer.

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Purchasing a new boat is rarely a solo decision. Family members usually weigh in on the desired style, features and options, which is why a model like the World Cat 320 Dual Console strikes such a positive chord. Based on the proven 32-foot catamaran hull, this latest iteration offers comfort and relaxation in addition to angling capability. In many cases, that works out to be a win-win situation for all.

Like its Express and Center Console predecessors, the Dual Console ­— a planing, twin-hull design with sharp entry, aft running surface and Vector tunnel pod — deflects compressed water downward to help eliminate bow “sneeze.” Though heavy and beamy, it quickly accelerates to planing speeds and runs bow-proud for a soft, comfortable ride. In head seas, it cuts through the waves without pounding.

The Dual Console is available with twin Yamaha F300 outboards with the optional Command Link+ system. That package offers exceptional performance for a boat this size.

With a light load and two aboard, we topped at nearly 48 mph by GPS. The boat loped along easily at 4,000 rpm while turning 30.3 mph. Factory tests with four aboard and half a tank of fuel produced a top speed of 44.8 mph at 6,100 rpm. At 3,500 rpm, the economy pace generated a speed of 24.2 mph with a fuel rate of 1.49 mpg. The super-stable hull rides as solid as an aircraft carrier, even in a beam sea, with noteworthy handling. The power-assisted steering lets the operator respond quickly to course corrections, and while you couldn’t expect a boat this size to turn on a dime, a quarter is not an exaggeration. Unlike some other catamarans, the 320DC holds level and true in turns without leaning. The integrated hardtop with bow walk-through offers good visibility and shelter from the elements in addition to a sporty profile. A curtain package with Strataglass and underside colors to match the hull are available options.

Anglers will appreciate the integrated rod holders in the hardtop, which complement the four mounted in the covering boards, as well as the cutting board, pliers-and-knife holder, and 35-gallon livewell in the port transom that holds plenty of bait. A 300-quart insulated compartment in the starboard bow drains overboard while a companion space to port holds bulky items and extra gear. A 250-quart fish box in the bridge deck adds to the storage ­capacity. A raw-water washdown is standard, and there’s also a hot-and-cold freshwater shower at the transom with a 45-gallon tank and 6-gallon hot-water heater. A ­starboard cockpit side door is also integrated, along with a built-in dive ladder.

The starboard transom bench-style seat lifts easily to reveal a large compartment housing the optional 4.2 kW Fischer Panda diesel generator. A 30-amp shore-power connection with a four-battery charger system is also included. More storage lies under the port lounge seat and the starboard ­galley/entertainment center on the starboard bridge deck. Galley amenities include a grill, refrigerator, sink and Corian countertop. The port lounge converts from seat to leaning pad to roomy berth by adding the filler table.

The starboard helm offers an ergonomically arranged space for the electronics panels, and the bolster-style seat allows comfortable ­operation from a seated or standing position. LED spreader and overhead lights, a radio box and a 12,000 Btu air-conditioning/heating system keep the helm, berth and head compartments in controlled comfort. An Optimus 360 system with electronic joystick steering is another available add-on.

The starboard head compartment, nicely outfitted with an electric head, shower, sink and vanity with storage, offers 6 feet 3 inches of overhead space. The port berth opposite is equally roomy, and the aft-facing lounge converts to a twin berth for overnight stays. A microwave, high-definition TV and cedar-lined hanging locker add to the ambience.

Going forward, the bow storage compartments double as a split casting deck or lounge area. A walkway between the sponsons allows quick access to the bow where another oversize storage compartment with twin hatches stows all kinds of gear. A Pro Series windlass with rode, chain and anchor comes standard, along with bow and helm controls.

The World Cat 320DC may seem plush to hardcore anglers, but where it counts — in performance and features necessary for offshore sport — it has everything it needs. And don’t discount the comfort benefits either. After a long day on the water, they’ll certainly be appreciated by the whole family.

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